The Automobile Thread

That is an interesting setup. I’d like to see one first hand.

 

This was my first setup, it’s up and out of the way, my new set up has the new Yakima HD bars. These round bars flexed a lot when you had two bikes attached. I don’t have my new setup completed yet but can send pictures when I get my stuff.

 

That F150 hybrid has me window shopping campers. An all-electric camper would be an amazing bike travel companion and a Mammoth tailgate machine. Snow camping sounds more appealing with an electric blanket.

Sigh, just 3 more years of college to pay for...but by then the chip shortage should be over and Toyota might have a hybrid competitor.

 

That's interesting. I'd like to see a bike on it, though. Generally trying to avoid anything crossing the bed - gets in the way of other stuff.

 

I can't say based on personal experience how easy it is to work with and whether you can pop on or off as needed. He has a pretty good Instagram showing it in use though: https://instagram.com/exodux.truck.racks?igshid=etaovh4wyrxt

 

Enduro Bro/Shuttle Monkey Pad does essentially the same thing, but is much lower profile.

 

I was trying to figure out what I was looking at until I saw the Ig link. Now it looks like a solution in need of a problem.

 

I've heard that the newest round of trucks have tailgates that are so wide that bikes don't hang over them well. I'm not a truck guy, so I don't know!

 

The Ram tailgates seem to be 8-10" deep. Add the thickness of a tailgate pad and you're SOL if you want to hang your MTB there.

 

Ugh...trucks are getting out of hand.

 

I like the forthcoming Maverick, although wish it was a king cab with a useful sized bed rather than crew.

 

Yes the thicker tailgates make hanging the bikes over with a moving blanket much harder these days. That system above looks cool but kind intrusive.

I was probably going just use a few quick release blocks attached to a 2x6 across the bed or on the tie down system in the bed of the F series trucks. i like more stealth systems.

 

Brought the new girl home from work today. A shiny blue SQ5 has been my spirit animal for the last 5 years, but I'm quickly falling for this one. It was our last S4, so I ended up with a spec that I wouldn't have otherwise picked, but I'm coming around to it, and the employee deal was borderline criminal. The drive home was a mellow cruise up PCH and a brisk get to know you run through the canyon. I can tell this is going to be a fun little tryst.

 

A winner!!!

 

Looks fast. RS4?

Answered my own question. No RS4 in the US lineup. S4. Fun fun fun!

 

And it's such a crime. RS4 Avant might just be the perfect car. This thing will have pretty close to the RS5/4 power output when I'm done with it. Shall be a fun project.

 

Damn. My car was totaled in January and I am still waiting around to replace mine.

That poor mans life

Looks interesting. But also just looks like a Ridgeline. And that is a pretty well settled truck at this point. Ford have been pretty good at f@cking up everything they launch lately (and I have been a lifelong Ford guy).

Hoping the Bronco hype helps me negotiate a better deal if I go with a Jeep

 

If you want a deal on Jeep/Dodge/Ram/Chrysler products just sign up for the Tread Lightly dot org membership and wait 30 days. If your membership level is $100 or more, you can get 1% below factory invoice. Super simple. hardest part is waiting the 30 days.

https://treadlightly.org/support/members/

That's what i used when we recently purchased our Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Its fun watching sales people's expression when they hand you the actual dealer invoice to confirm the low price you are getting. Stealerships don't deal on Rubicon models so that enjoyable getting the below factory invoice deal.

 

We may be in the market for a new vehicle. The wife’s car has a gremlin that we have not been able to capture as of yet. That gremlin is inconsistently draining the battery over night. We never know if it’s going to start on a given morning.

 

That’s good to know....:getting to be about time to get a new RAM.

 

You can put the bike inside the truck and it will fit without taking off the wheels.

 

that is a sweet ride

 

Very true... but i do prefer them in the bed when we travel with our travel trailer or long trips. my wifey likes to lay her seat back and snooze while on the road. Plus her Bike and my bike both dont fit inside at the same time.

 

Yeah my buddy bought a RAM 2500 diesel and saved a bunch. He's the one who told me about the program. He retired from LA county fire and acted like he won the lottery... went to Ontario dodge and said i want the most expensive 2500 you have in stock... bam he owns a RAM...

Ford has something similar for shareholders... i used that when buying my F250 last week. Not sure if any other mfgs have similar programs. I know GM doesn't.

 

If you have an IMBA membership, you can get dealer invoice pricing on subaru...

 

The mods should make a sticky thread with a list of mfgs who offer deals like this... along with a link. I didn't know about subaru deal... very cool to save on a big purchase. Now only if bike mfgs offered discounts like that...

 

FYI, Costco members can purchase their vehicles through Costco's Auto Program. I've used it for my last four vehicles. It's always been dealer invoice or less with NO haggling. We saved $6k on Jennifer's Tundra.

https://www.costcoauto.com/enterzip...aICTQTyL7QlBNsGfk5KZhMs3EEgnEJmoaAoMlEALw_wcB

 

I will be doing that. But when conditions are better, you can usually get a couple more percent below that. I have heard of people getting 5% below invoice.

 

I’ve been hanging them over the tailgate lately… no issue. RaceFace now has a curved pad for the newer RAMs and Ford’s with the aero tailgates. I’ll be picking one up soon…

 

Not quite as fun as mountain biking, but definitely better than driving on the 405. Big Bear, Gold Mountain Trail.